29 CFR 1910 156 Fire Brigades Elements l

29 CFR 1910. 156 Fire Brigades

Elements l a) Scope and Application l b) Organization l c) Training and Education l d) Firefighting Equipment l e) Protective Clothing l f) Respiratory Protection Devices

a) Scope and Application Scope: This section contains requirements for the organization, training, and personal protective equipment of fire brigades whenever they are established by an employer. l Application: The requirements of this section apply to fire brigades, industrial fire departments and private or contractual type fire departments. Personal protective equipment requirements apply only to members of fire brigades performing interior structural fire fighting. The requirements of this section do not apply to airport crash rescue or forest fire fighting operations. l

(b) Organization l (1) Written Organizational Statement – establishes the existence of the fire brigade and list: – Type, amount, frequency of training – Expected number of members – Functions that the brigade will perform l Available for inspection

(b) Personnel (PESH - not only for interior FF) l (Employer shall assure) employees (interior FF) physically capable of performing task assigned l FF with known heart disease, epilepsy, emphysema need physicians statement to participate.

(c) Training and Education Fire Training l The employer, prior to assigning a task to an employee will assure that the employee has been properly trained, is physically capable and utilized the correct PPE prior to performing the job l

(d) Firefighting Equipment l Employer will inspect at least annually… – Turn out gear, boots, gloves, helmets, etc. l Portable extinguishers and respirators at least monthly l Damaged equipment will be removed and replaced

(e) Protective clothing l Clothing for interior FF only l Not intended for FF who fight incipient stage fires only l Employer provides at no cost l Employer ensures clothing is worn appropriately

Boots l *ANSI Z 41 -1991 Impact and Compression – Steel Toe – Electrical Insulation Water Resistant - Protective footwear shall meet the requirements of 1910. 136 for Class 75 footwear. In addition, protective footwear shall be water-resistant for at least 5 inches (12. 7 cm) above the bottom of the heel and shall be equipped with slip-resistant outer soles. l Puncture Resistant - Protective footwear shall be tested in accordance with paragraph (1) of Appendix E, and shall provide protection against penetration of the midsole by a size 8 D common nail when at least 300 pounds (1330 N) of static force is applied to the nail. l

Body Protection l Fully extended boots used with the longer coats l Bunker pants, boots used with waist coat *NFPA No. 1971 -1975 l Tearing Strength l Heat Test

Hand Protection Test Methods for Fire Fighters Gloves: *NIOSH 1976 – The Development of Criteria for Firefighters Gloves, Vol. II • Materials • Temperature Rating • 4” wrist protection

(e)(5)(1)Head Protection l *Model Performance Criteria for Structural Firefighters' Helmets (August 1977) l Protective head device with required ear flaps and chin strap

(e)(5) Eye and Face Protection l Comply with 1910. 133 *ANSI Z 87. 1 -1989 l Full facepieces, helmets, or hoods of breathing apparatus complying with 1910. 134 and paragraph (f) of this section

(f) Respiratory Protection l l l Meet requirements of 1910. 134 Provided by employer SCBA may be used with other manufacturers approved cylinders Minimum service life rating of 30 minutes Equipped with low air alarm that sounds at 2025% of capacity Effective July 1, 1983, only pressure-demand or other positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus shall be worn by fire brigade members performing interior structural fire fighting

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